Bribes inquiry could take in other countries, says official

The lawyers and court officials, who form part of the judicial inquiry into betting and match-fixing on the sub-continent, also said the questioning of Warne and Waugh, which begins here Friday, could stretch into the weekend.

Lahore High Court registrar Abdus Salam Khawar arrived here early Thursday from Pakistan, along with Pakistan Cricket Board legal adviser Ali Sibtain Fazli and Azmat Saeed, the lawyer for former Pakistan captain Salim Malik.

Fazli said Thursday the inquiry was not limiting its investigations to alleged incidents inside Pakistan.

``It is definitely more than Pakistan,'' he said.

Warne and Waugh will be quizzed on their admission that they accepted payments from an Indian bookmaker to provide information on the weather during a one-day match in Sri Lanka in 1994.

Khawar said depending on the evidence, the Melbourne end of the inquiry could continue on Saturday.

``I would think tomorrow's hearing would take between two to three hours, but it depends on the evidence,'' Khawar said.

As the two Australian Test stars met Australian Cricket Board officials Thursday to prepare for the hearings, Warne said he welcomed the opportunity to give evidence in public.

``It's probably best that everything's out there,'' Warne said.

``The public deserves to know.''

Prior to their own admissions being made public, Warne, Waugh and former Australian spinner Tim May accused Malik of offering them money to perform poorly during the 1994 Pakistan tour, a claim the Pakistan batsman denies.

Waugh testified to the inquiry during Australia's tour of Pakistan last year, but this was before the bookmaker incident came to light.

``We want to know what has happened -- the nature of what they did,'' Khawar said.

The inquiry first requested Waugh and Warne fly to Pakistan to give more testimony, but then agreed to send representatives to Australia after that fell through and a planned video link-up also proved unfeasible.

The ACB is footing the bill for the inquiry members' flights and accommodation for this session.

``We are very much pleased with the co-operation we have received from the Australian Cricket Board on this matter,'' Khawar said.

It is believed Waugh and Warne will have legal representation at Friday's hearing, which also will feature a statement from former ACB chairman and team manager Alan Crompton.

The Melbourne hearing will be conducted as a court session, with Khawar presiding in place of inquiry head, Lahore High Court Judge Malik Mohammad Qayyum, who was unable to come to Australia.

The Australians will first give statements before being cross-examined by Fazli and Saeed.